DLG e.V. Close-up inspections of potato equipment

New event for the UK attracts around 2000 participants – unprecedented ‘live’ machinery display

Potato Days UK, held in early September at Dyson farming’s Nocton Farm in Lincolnshire, ended on a high note, meeting visitor and exhibitor expectations. The two-day, field event included live demonstrations of potato harvesting, crop trial plots and almost 100 exhibitors representing organisations from across the sector. The organisers, DLG, expressed their satisfaction with this first edition of the event, with around 2000 participants visiting over the two days.

Demonstrations a great hit

Six top of the range potato harvesters from leading manufacturers AVR, Dewulf, Grimme and Standen provided visitors with a close-up view of action as they tackled the specially grown 12Ha of crops. “This is the first time in over 20 years that British farmers and growers have had the opportunity to see a field days event like this and watch different machines in action“ said Mark Taylor, Chair of industry group, GB Potatoes. Visitors were able to experience 24 harvesting sessions on each day, showing both two- and four-row harvesters working in varied conditions. “Organising a show of this scale takes some doing and the experienced DLG team should be congratulated on the way it ran.” he added.

In addition, potato handling lines from AVR, Dewulf and Downs showed the newly harvested crop being cleaned, sorted and loaded – leaving the field for processing by McCain.

Dr Lars Huf

Exhibitors from across the potato industry

“We were delighted with the support we have enjoyed from our exhibitors, representing the entire potato industry,“ said Dr Lars Huf, Project Director of the event. “With almost 100 organisations filling our purpose-built marquee and the outside area, there was something for everyone. Exhibitors reported strong interest from the high-quality audience of farmers and growers, including many from Ireland and the Netherlands who came to this first edition of our event.“ he added.

Trial plots and new innovations on show

Ten specially made crop trial plots allowed exhibitors to show new potato varieties, innovative agronomy and the latest technology for sustainable potato production. Dan Hewitt UK manager for global brand Restrain commented: “It was great to be able to show our products to farmers and growers at this event. A huge amount of work goes into these plots and we were able to show excellent results.“

Andrew Howesman of Howesman Agriculture added: “This was the best opportunity we have had to showcase Drip Irrigation in the field ever and it generated lots of interest. I’m looking forward to future Potato Days events.“

Live machinery demonstrations in the field gave spectators a first-hand experience

Learning, knowledge exchange and meeting platform for farmers

In addition to many opportunities for visitors to meet and network at the event, the DLG Expert Stage provided the platform for a series of talks and discussions held over both days. An impressive lineup of 25 speakers, including industry leaders, academics and researchers, kept audiences engaged with topics such as machinery, automation and AI, net zero, water and the impact of policy on sustainable production.

Speaking at the official opening event, René Döbelt, Vice President, DLG said: “The DLG takes a leading position in knowledge transfer, technical competence and improvement in farming practices. We create unique platforms to promote learning, share understanding and show technology and innovations across the world“.

“Potato Days UK is the first professional exhibition and field demonstration event for potato growers for many years and we are very happy to create this for you. The potato industry is vital – producing one of the world’s most favourite foods – and a key crop for British and Irish farmers. But producing potatoes is not easy! We look forward with confidence to bringing future events to this important market“ Mr Döbelt added.

The next Potato Days UK, an event by farmers for farmers and organised by DLG, is expected to take place in September 2026 in the heart of the British potato production region.

Potato Days UK – key facts

Dates: 4 – 5 September 2024

Location: Nocton Farm, Nocton, Lincolnshire

Format: Outdoor field days event – total site area of 20 Ha.

High quality inside trade stand space for over 75 exhibitors.

Outdoor static stand and display spaces.

Trial plots and technical demonstrations.

12Ha of live demonstrations.

Event partners: GB Potatoes, AVR, Dewulf, GRIMME, McCain, Dyson farming, University of Lincoln and UK Food Valley.

Delivery partners: Lincolnshire Agricultural Society.

Website: www.potato-days.uk

About the DLG:

With over 30,000 members today, DLG is a politically independent and non-profit society with membership open to all. Drawing on an international network of experts in food and agriculture as well as subsidiary companies in nine countries, the DLG organizes over 30 regional arable and livestock exhibitions worldwide, in addition to its leading international trade fairs, EuroTier for livestock equipment, and Agritechnica for agricultural crop machinery, each taking place biennially in Hannover, Germany.

Headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, DLG carries out practical trials and tests to inform its members of new advancements. DLG’s International Crop Production Center, a 600-hectare site located in Bernburg-Strenzfeld, Germany, conducts plot trials on crop rotations, cultivation and irrigation, as well as performing practical machinery tests and hosting outdoor shows and demonstrations.

Potato Days UK is made by the DLG, the world’s foremost agricultural events organisation and part of the farmer owned and led German Agricultural Society. The DLG has global reach through its combination of shows and trade fairs, including major international agricultural machinery, equipment and technology event, Agritechnica.